Bhubaneswar: August 15: Odisha Chief Minister hoisted the National Flag at State level Independence Day celebration at Gandhi Marg, Bhubaneswar and took the salute to mark the 71st Independence Day. While addressing the State on this great Day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik paid tributes to the founding fathers of our nation and the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country. Chief Minister remembered Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad and Dr BR Ambedkar as well as legends of Odisha Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das, Nabakrushna Choudhury, Gopabandhu Choudhury, Veer Surendra Sai, Saheed Laxman Nayak, Rama Devi, Malati Choudhury, Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab, Biju Patnaik and Parbati Giri.
Chief Minister also spoke about ‘Paika Rebellion’ and termed it as the first war of Independence. On this occasion, he paid homage to legendary freedom fighter Buxi Jagabandhu and the Paikas.
Speaking on the State, he said, Poverty has reduced by 25 percent due to various schemes of Odisha Government. He added, ‘As per Niti Aayog’s report, Odisha is top in the country in terms of poverty reduction.’
